[pianotech] best resources math/physics of piano

[Zoe Sandell]

Thanks!!!!

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Ron Nossaman
Sent: January 23, 2010 11:13 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] best resources math/physics of piano

Zoe Sandell wrote:
> Does anyone have any suggestions for the best resources for the 
> math/physics of piano construction and regulation/repair.  A text would 
> be a dream!

"Dream" is indeed the operative description. There have been 
thousands of us that have wished for such a collection of 
dependable resources, and just as many who resist any 
information different from what they were taught *first*. The 
problem is, who's version of the physics counts, and how will 
you decide? Read the lists, look through the archives, and 
you'll find disagreement on the simplest physics concepts. We 
do have some dependable resources. R Bruce Hoadley's 
"Understanding Wood" and "The Encyclopedia of Wood", also 
known as "The Wood Book, Wood as an Engineering Material", 
from the Forest Products Laboratory (free download on line, 
and a terrific resource) will answer most of the questions 
about the properties of the woods used. "Machinery's Handbook" 
is good for metals properties and such, and "SAE Handbook" 
for, springs, screws and such. How all this relates to pianos 
is the "exercise left to the reader", but at least the 
information is valid and is a good BS filter cross reference 
for some of the absolute nonsense you'll read about materials 
properties in pianos.
Ron N